Mayor says Ontario has 'bright future' in State of the City address

Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson on Wednesday night gave the State of the City address for Ontario, highlighting areas of growth in the city in 2017.
Emily Mills/News Journal

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Ontario Mayor Randy Hutchinson shares his State of the City address with Ontario City Council on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2081. Among other highlights, Hutchinson said 20 businesses celebrated grand openings in the city in 2017.(Photo11: Emily Mills/News Journal)Buy Photo

Hutchinson said the trampoline park "offers an excellent entertainment location for the area."

The city's zoning department reported seven new houses and one double-build were constructed in 2017, Hutchinson said, with zoning permit evaluations of residential and business permits in excess of $7.341 million.

Hutchinson said calls for service from the Ontario Police Department increased in 2017 compared to 2016, but he said most of the serious crimes reported were down in 2017.

Council previously approved adding two new police officers "due to the increased growth of Ontario," Hutchinson said.

"With the new officers, the department was able to increase patrol throughout the area," he said. "During the holidays, there was extra patrol in the business lots, and during peak hours, officers patrolled in unmarked cars. Due to this, parking lot crimes were down, such as theft from vehicles."

Hutchinson also highlighted the change in leadership at the police department, with Chief Rodney Smith retiring after 34 years and Chief Tommy Hill taking over in April.

Hutchinson highlighted the success of several community events, including the fifth annual Litter Cleanup Day in April, the Fourth of July celebration, Concerts in the Park and the Christmas Tree Lighting at Marshall Park, with the largest concert drawing 1,000 people and the Christmas Tree Lighting drawing more than 500 people, its largest crowd to date.

Hutchinson thanked Ontario Youth Sports for its assistance with Concerts in the Park and OYS and the Ontario Growth Association for their assistance with the Christmas tree-lighting.